Politics & Government

District 308 Administrators Will Pay for Health Care Costs

Starting in July 2012, officials will contribute 20 percent toward their coverage.

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 administrators will start paying 20 percent of their monthly health care premiums starting with the 2012-13 school year.

The School Board voted 4-3 Monday night to stop paying 100 percent of administrators’ premiums, a pledge board President Bill Walsh had made during his campaign.

The move to reign in costs was not taken without some debate by the board or words of warning from Supt. Dan O’Donnell.

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“I think this puts us in a bad bargaining position as far as hiring new administrators,” O’Donnell said. “… I will warn you ahead of time that I will be lobbying for administrative salary increases [to offset the heath care premium costs.]"

Currently, many comparable area districts pay administrator health care costs. O’Donnell argued that the district is also on the lower end of the pay scale for administrators in the area.

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Board member Mike Scaramuzzi, who pushed the board to adopt a 90/10 split with the administration, said the 20 percent figure will send a punishing message to employees.

“It’s punitive in my mind to go to an 80/20 split and be in the bottom bracket for salary,” said Scaramuzzi, who voted no on the measure with board members Lynn Cullick and Dave Behrens.

In an interview Tuesday, Walsh said he doesn’t see it that way.

“This isn’t punitive at all,” he said. “This is an additional $200,000 the taxpayers won’t have to pay.”

The 80/20 split will save the district about $210,000 annually. A 90/10 split would have save about $100,000. 

Further, Walsh said he understands O’Donnell’s point about attracting and retaining top talent.

“I’m always concerned about what we can offer and attracting the best candidates at all levels within our budget constraints,” Walsh said.

Board member Alison Swanson, who is a teacher, wrestled with her vote, saying she was concerned about equality between unionized teachers, who currently pay 25 percent for family coverage and 20 percent for single coverage, and administrators. 

“I am in awe of many of our administrators that put forth so much time and pride in their jobs that I want them to know that we as a district  appreciate and support them [somewhat implied by the 100 percent health care coverage],” Swanson wrote in an e-mail.  

“Then I say to myself, ‘a really great teacher is equally as valuable an asset to the quality of our childrens' education.'

“I finally concluded that I had faith that our administration could ride out the storm [$364 million in debt is more like a hurricane] with the teachers, drivers, janitors, aides, and families of this community.”

Administrators with current multiyear contracts will start paying the 20 percent when their contracts are renewed. Administrators not working on contracts will begin paying next July.

If the board should negotiate a percentage paid greater than 80 percent for Oswego Education Association teachers, administrators will receive that same percentage as teachers.


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